CDC confirms first severe case of bird flu in US
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Key takeaways:
- The first U.S. case of severe illness from H5N1 bird flu was confirmed in a patient in Louisiana.
- The patient was exposed to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks, not cows.
The CDC on Wednesday confirmed the first severe case of bird flu in the United States.
According to the agency, a person in Louisiana was hospitalized with a severe case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection after having contact with sick and dead birds in backyard flocks.
Although 61 total human cases of bird flu have been reported in the U.S. since April, this is the first time a person has become severely ill, the CDC said. It was the first ever U.S. case of H5N1 linked to backyard flock exposure, the agency reported.
Partial genetic testing of the virus showed that it is related to other H5N1 viruses recently detected in wild birds and poultry in the U.S. and some human cases in British Columbia and Washington state, according to the CDC.
The agency said no person-to-person transmission of H5N1 bird flu has been detected and that it considers the immediate risk to the public remains low.
Among the 60 other confirmed human cases of H5N1 in the U.S. this year, 37 were linked to exposure to infected dairy cattle herds — including through raw milk — 21 had contact with sick birds at poultry farms, and two cases had unknown exposures. In all, 49 states have had bird flu outbreaks in poultry, and 16 have reported outbreaks in dairy cows.
“This case underscores that, in addition to affected commercial poultry and dairy operations, wild birds and backyard flocks also can be a source of exposure,” the CDC said.
Because of this, the agency recommended that backyard flock owners, hunters and other bird enthusiasts take precautions against infection, including avoiding contact with sick or dead animals, wearing personal protective equipment when contact cannot be avoided, and not touching surfaces or materials contaminated with saliva, mucous or animal feces from birds or other animals with confirmed or suspected bird flu.
References:
- CDC confirms first severe case of H5N1 bird flu in the United States. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/m1218-h5n1-flu.html. Published Dec. 18, 2024. Accessed Dec. 18, 2024.
- CDC. H5 bird flu: Current situation. https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html. Updated Dec. 17, 2024. Accessed Dec. 18, 2024.
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